After Left Front's WB debacle, CPM's Yechury is in the line of fire

Though Kerala's poll verdict was on expected lines, given the state's recent history of strong anti-incumbency, it was West Bengal where it has lost big. This year's election saw the Left front only winning 32 seats, 30 less than what they had won in the 2011 polls.

The failure is compounded with the fact that the Congress could become the second largest party and thus claim the position of Leader of Opposition. With a dismal performance, it is CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury who is clearly in the line of fire.

CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury. PTI

According to a report in The Telegraph, many central leaders in the party are gunning for Yechury, after he insisited on forming an alliance with the Congress to fight the Trinamool Congress. The politburo and the Central Committee were to meet between 22 and 24 May, but that has been deferred indefinitely now. When the meeting takes place, it is now expected that party rivals will attack him for the debacle.

The CPM also has to face the ignominy of being called the 'B-team' of the Congress. The alleged ideological compromise was clearly visible when the party issued a statement on the AgustaWestland bribery allegation, but stopped short of naming the Congress party, The Times of India reported.

With the CPM-led Left front coming third in its former bastion of West Bengal, the camp led by former party chief Prakash Karat — which opposed the tie-up with the Congress — is all set to corner Yechury.

More specifically, the Kerala unit of the party is reported to take the opportunity to question Yechury and his decision, whenever the next politburo meet takes place, India Today reported.

The coming few months will be crucial for the CPM. It is to be seen whether Yechury can brace the incoming storm or will perish.